Help me decide.

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I have two LWS's near me and use both.  One sells Victor.http://www.victortorch.com/outfits/performer.htmand the other sells Harris.  (steelworker model)http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/e...ic_outfits.aspprice difference aside which would be the best for general cutting.  I won't be doing any O/A welding but will probably add a rose bud later.
Reply:It will always boil down to the same proverb, "you get what you pay for". With that being said I've actually got a Victor journeyman torch on my rig, and I use a smaller Harris setup in he shop. Both are good setup in my opinion, and I don't think you could go wrong with either. If you're a hobby welder then go for the Harris, but if you're gonna use them every day pay the extra and get the Victor. I also forgot about the newer victors having the protective cover on the gauges (mine are almost 10yrs old and don't have the covers) so thats an extra safety bonus.Last edited by cmpipeliner; 07-23-2009 at 02:11 PM.Reason: forgot
Reply:actually the Victor is cheaper because a friend of mine works at that LWS.  Thats why i said money aside.  There is only a $40 difference so it really don't matter to me.  I am just using them for my own stuff not a business or service truck so either will do way more than I need them too.  I was just looking at which is the better unit.
Reply:FWIW I have seen the quality on Victor really drop off, especially since moving some of their manufacturing to China. Harris quality seems to be holding steady and is in my own mind, becoming a much higher quality item than victor. VIctor is kind of the Wal-Mart of torches, yeah everyone has them and copies them, but from a design standpoint.....kinda rough and crude. Not nearly as refined as some other designs from Oxweld, Smith, Harris, and the like.
Reply:is there a reason you're buying new?  there's a LOT of used OA set ups in craigslist.  I think some actually prefer the older Victor over the newer Victor, due to quality dropping (outsourcing)if you're in so cal, you can borrow mine and try them out before you buy a set.
Reply:i have a harris torch, been good for  me and use victor gauges it just a personal thing i think
Reply:Yea I didn't really think about the current quality of there (victor) products, like I said the set I have is around 10 yrs old, and i haven't had a bit of problem out of them. I agree with the guys sayn look on craigslist for an older setup. Most of the torch work I do is with barrel torches in pipe bevelers and i do have a few mixed brands, but mostly victor, and older. I didn't pay attention to the setup type and for the money diffrence was thinking of the journeyman set not the performer. Good luck I'm the type to think about what to buy and usually over think it.
Reply:I have a 12-14yr old Harris, and it's been excellentThe only drawback to Harris is the short preheat flame.  You have to keep the tip close to the work, and sometimes you get slag on the end of the tip when it blows back a bit.  Also, holding the tip close to the work can sometimes hinder visibility.That said, I'd still buy another Harris because I'm used to it, and like it"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I just had to replace a regulator a few months back.I looked on the packages, and bought American.
Reply:My vote is for Victor...if they are near a good as they used to be you can go wrong...My Victor is older than dirt like bronze age and it works like a champ. BrandonLincoln Tombstone 225 A/C Steel StickerOld Victor O2/Acetylene setupMiller Syncrowave 250 Tig/PC-300 PulserMiller Millermatic 212 Mig HTP Invertatig 201 Giant Teck D50 Plasma cutterLots of HF grinders
Reply:Good info guys.  Its been 10 years since i did fabrication for a living and when i did we had both.  I liked the Harris cutting head best back then but im sure alot has changed sinceand either would be fine.  As far as buying used i have not looked on craigslist for a while but when i was looking i couldn't find any.  Also i have been out of it long enough that im afraid I won't know what to look for and end up with junk.  The Harris is $239 and the Victor is $199.  Im happy with that price to get everything i need minus tanks.  Although I wish they would leave the goggles, striker, and wrench out of the kit and discount it since i already have all that.
Reply:As someone that repairs 1000 peices of gas apparatus a month, I would like to offer my opinion.If you have experience using a torch and you are the only one that is going to be using the equipment, I would go with the Victor.  If you are new to oxy/ace cutting equipment or other perople will be using the equipment go with the Harris.  The Victor cutting attachment (CA1350) is very exceptable to flash backs.  Of all the torches I rebuild, I replace the mixer on this torch 5 to 1 of any other torch.    The Harris torch has a flat seat for the tip which can cause the torch to "pop" when the tip is not tight or damaged.  It is not a gid deal, but it can be agravating.  As for as repairing the Harris, I replace the mixer on a Harris maybe 1 for 40 rebuilt.  The Victor is 1 in 6.  The regulators are about the same, but the Victor does have the gauge guards.As for rebuilt torches, you can get two regulator and torch for about $150.00, but when you add the hoses, striker and all that things that come with a kit, it is less expensive to buy the outfit.Hope this helps!OAdoctorwww.regulatortorchrepair.com
Reply:It depends on what gases you will use the  most for acetyelene the victor is the one but any other (propane, propolene)  the harris has a much better mixer and will give excellent results these are the 2 best torches on the market and both have accessories  to do any thing you will need
Reply:Originally Posted by beer_meI have two LWS's near me and use both.  One sells Victor.http://www.victortorch.com/outfits/performer.htmand the other sells Harris.  (steelworker model)http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/e...ic_outfits.aspprice difference aside which would be the best for general cutting.  I won't be doing any O/A welding but will probably add a rose bud later.